Entering the Settlement

The burial site Qu Jianlei had chosen was actually a bit of a trap. It looked ideal for burying people, but the ground... was rather hard.

Eleven corpses took up no small amount of space, and they could not be buried too shallowly.

It took the three able-bodied men an entire day just to dig a suitable pit.

Throwing in the bodies, covering them with dirt, and tamping the soil down took quite a while as well.

Once they had finished all that work, everyone simply decided to rest nearby, eat something, and get some sleep.

For once, Qu Jianlei made another huge pot of meat noodle soup. While they ate, he even untied the woman's hands.

The small group of three Hunters did not take the opportunity to make a move either. The entire meal passed peacefully.

The woman ate with great delight and even asked, "Black Sky, is this... the usual standard of food you mean?"

Clearly, even with Hua Xiezhi's strength, it was not easy for her to get a meal like this.

Qu Jianlei answered casually, "I'm someone who enjoys good food."

So there were conditions after all, the woman could not help reflecting inwardly.

Her companions, however, shot her questioning looks. We're really not making a move? Hua Xiezhi rolled her eyes. Don't be childish. If he dares untie me, why do you think that is?

They could make money through a straightforward deal, so why stir up trouble? Were they tired of living too peacefully? On the other side, Xiao Jing was also asking Qu Jianlei in a low voice, "Will these people... leak anything?"

He had already vaguely guessed that Black Sky Bro was carrying some major secret.

His life, death, honor, and disgrace were now tied to Black Sky Bro. He had to think for the First One.

Qu Jianlei slurped down a couple mouthfuls of noodles, swallowed, and said, "I know what I'm doing... Want some spicy seasoning?"

There were no chili peppers in the Wasteland, but there were still some spicy seasonings that had no side effects and tasted quite good.

After they finished eating, he tied Hua Xiezhi up again, though this time her hands were bound in front.

That way, she could sleep properly. With her hands tied behind her back, sleeping was impossible.

When camping in the wild, someone had to stand watch. That went without saying.

Early the next morning, they set off again. By evening, they finally reached a Supply Station.

There was actually a repair shop at this Supply Station, and the rider brought the owner out.

The owner inspected the two vehicles and said he could take the job, but he would need to bring over equipment and materials.

There really was not much large-scale equipment out in the Wasteland. For patchwork repairs, small equipment was enough.

Qu Jianlei paid no attention to their negotiations. He remained invisible throughout and left it to the three of them.

Still, he put a hood over Hairless Freak's head and covered his face with a cloth, to keep anyone from recognizing him.

Xiao Jing did not resist it at all. He was actually a little excited. "Give me a short dagger too, and I can count as an adventurer, right?"

There were many mutants in the Wasteland, and adventurers with builds like his really did exist.

Qu Jianlei rolled his eyes and casually handed him a short dagger. "It's yours. Don't lose it."

At present, Hairless Freak could access all the supplies he owned, so temporarily taking something was no big deal.

But formally handing it over to him was different.

Xiao Jing held the short dagger, unable to put it down as he played with it, carefully wrapping hemp rope around its handle.

Before long, the repair shop owner returned, this time with a cargo vehicle resembling a tractor.

The vehicle carried everything: all kinds of parts and materials, cutting and welding tools, batteries, and more.

He mainly modified the Open-Top Light Truck and the motorcycle Qu Jianlei had kept as a spare.

As for the truck and two motorcycles Qu Jianlei wanted to sell, Hua Xiezhi said there was no rush. She could repair them later.

During this time, the motorcycle rider left, saying that he was going to fetch the supplies for the trade.

Qu Jianlei did not object. He merely watched the man leave with an indifferent expression.

In the Wasteland, it was impossible to avoid every risk. At least for now, he did not have the ability to eliminate all risk entirely.

Still, he believed the other party was unlikely to cause trouble.

Of course, even so, he leaned against the modified motorcycle, ready to react at any moment.

In the end, no unexpected changes occurred. Two days later, the rider arrived carrying large and small bundles.

There was not much Nutrient Solution, but there was plenty of grain—at least two hundred pounds—as well as some water and ammunition. There were also two Energy Blocks.

There was no fuel. Hunters rarely stockpiled that stuff, and with a Supply Station nearby, refueling was convenient.

There were twelve Hong Five Silver Coins, along with some Silver Horns.

Qu Jianlei did not take the Silver Horns. He was not so petty as to covet that little.

When the rider arrived, the vehicles had also been almost completely repaired.

Qu Jianlei greeted them, loaded the supplies onto the vehicle, then drove off in the Open-Top Light Truck.

Hua Xiezhi and the other two looked at each other. The rider could not help saying, "He just left like that?"

Hua Xiezhi shook her head slightly, speaking with deep feeling. "On this land, you really can't underestimate anyone."

The repair shop owner was inspecting the two motorcycles. Hearing that, he asked curiously, "Did you lose out?"

The rider answered casually, "Not really. We just didn't make much."

The other person said, "It really wasn't easy for us to come back alive this time..."

The three transported the two motorcycles to the Supply Station and had the owner continue repairing them.

They then drove the truck straight toward Hong Wu Settlement.

There were Fallen corpses in the truck as evidence, along with the three mutilated bodies of the victims. If they did not register them soon, they would start to rot.

On the way to the Settlement, the rider said, "It seems like they... have some shady business going on?"

"Don't mention this again in the future," Hua Xiezhi said flatly. "Just treat it as though we didn't see them the second time."

"Didn't see them the second time?" The rider was startled. "Then the three of us took out those seven Fallen?"

"Of course," Hua Xiezhi replied calmly. "Otherwise, why do you think he left the truck with us? It's evidence!"

The other man spoke thoughtfully. "So if we want to claim all the credit, we have to hide their whereabouts for them?"

The rider was surprised. "That Black Sky guy thought that far ahead?"

Hua Xiezhi said leisurely, "Don't assume every adventurer only knows how to fight and kill."

At the same time, Qu Jianlei drove the Open-Top Light Truck on a wide detour, also heading straight for Hong Wu Settlement.

To avoid suspicion, he deliberately chose a city gate on the opposite side.

When they entered the city, guards stopped the light truck. "Papers!"

In this situation, if they could not produce identification, the least they would suffer was a savage beating, and losing their belongings was normal.

Hairless Freak displayed the silver badge. "We're here on business."

The two guards exchanged looks. One reached out for the badge. "Let me see it!"

Qu Jianlei's Laser Pistol was already pressed against his forehead. "What are you doing?"

The guard's body stiffened, but his tone remained hard. "Isn't it only proper to inspect identification?"

Hairless Freak raised his hand and showed his short dagger as well, asking sinisterly, "Do you believe I could kill you and no one would care?"

He understood the significance of the silver badge better than Qu Jianlei did. It just sounded somewhat strange to hear such ruthless words in a child's voice.

The guard truly did not dare gamble. The two looked somewhat like wild drifters, but... what if they were not? In any case, anyone who dared treat guards this way definitely understood the rules.

Suppressing the unease in his heart, he answered coldly, "I still have to inspect it properly, don't I?"

Hairless Freak snorted. "Then did you see clearly how my dagger is wrapped?"

The guard did indeed glance at the dagger, frowning slightly. "A Peace Knot?"

Hemp rope was wrapped around dagger handles to prevent one's hand from slipping after being stained with blood. Usually, the simpler the wrapping method, the better.

Only those living in Settlements, with nothing better to do, would carefully study different ways to wrap one.

A Peace Knot was no more secure than any other method, and it was exceptionally troublesome to make.

But it carried a good meaning and represented a blessing.

The guard generally knew how to tie a Peace Knot, but his own dagger was not wrapped that way—there was no need.

Now that he recognized the Peace Knot, he understood that this little fellow definitely had some background.

There was no need to inspect the silver badge anymore, but he still said, "Other identification."

Xiao Jing answered bluntly, "We're only here on business. You don't need to see any other identification!"

Whether they had other identification had nothing to do with him. He only needed to recognize the silver badge.

The guard stiffened his neck. "Without other identification, the vehicle and firearms can't enter!"

Xiao Jing argued seriously, "Motorcycles can enter!"

The Settlement was indeed wary of outsiders. Restricting vehicles and firearms from entering the city was perfectly normal.

The guard was still deliberately making things difficult. Otherwise, those carrying silver badges were all people of great status, and exceptions could be made.

But if he insisted on it, no one could say he was wrong.

Fortunately, he still found them a place to park and said, "Free for three days."

Those rules were ironclad. He did not dare pull any tricks.

Xiao Jing said viciously, "If anything goes wrong with the things in the vehicle, you know the consequences!"

The guard remained expressionless, pretending not to hear him.

Qu Jianlei did not say a word throughout, appearing to be the little fellow's bodyguard.

They removed the spare motorcycle, then covered the truck bed with felt cloth.

Just as they were about to enter the city, the guard stopped them again. "Remove your face coverings. I need to see whether you're wanted criminals."

Xiao Jing flew into a rage. "Are you looking for trouble?"

Seeing how overbearing he acted, the guard became even more certain that these two had powerful backing.

But he replied with complete justification, "Those are the rules. If you have identification, then it might be negotiable."

Qu Jianlei and the other had no choice but to remove their face coverings and let him inspect them.

Two people without eyebrows? The guard was slightly surprised.

But he did not care much, assuming they had undergone similar mutations or suffered the same experience.

After looking carefully, he confirmed that they did not match any wanted criminals, so he did not make further trouble. "All right, you can go."

The motorcycle engine roared to life, and the two entered the city.

Qu Jianlei sighed inwardly. It feels like things may not go smoothly this time.